Wales suffer fourth loss in Women's Nations League campaign

That score makes it 4 losses from 4 in Group A3

Author: Oliver Morgan / PA SportPublished 31st Oct 2023

Despite three goals being scored in the match, Wales have suffered yet another defeat in their campaign in the Women's Nations League against Group A3 leaders Denmark.

First-half goals from Amalie Vangsgaard and Sofie Bredgaard put the Danes in control before half time.

Cymru started the second half the match 2-0 down, but managed to claw one goal back, thanks to a 72nd minute attempt by Jess Fishlock.

However, now, the pressure is on for coach Gemma Grainger - who only yesterday insisted her squad are heading in the right direction - as she's now overseen five successive losses.

That includes all four so far in the group stages of the Nations League - and comes ahead of a huge clash against Iceland next month.

That game could be a decider on whether or not Wales get relegated to the B League.

The visitors were masters of their own downfall twice in the goals they conceded in Viborg.

Denmark took a 28th-minute lead when Rhiannon Roberts gave the ball away in a dangerous area and Paris St Germain striker Vangsgaard superbly headed home.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0 as Bredgaard coolly found the top corner after Angharad James gave the ball away in her own box.

The hosts missed several chances to kill the game and ended up sweating as Wales gave themselves a lifeline.

This time there was an error in the Denmark defence as Isabella Bryld Obaze's poor touch allowed Wales to win the ball back and Fishlock fired home from Sophie Ingle's pass.

Yesterday, Grainger said: "I spoke to the Danish and German coaching staff after the games and they recognise the journey we are on.

"Anyone who knows football and is looking at our performances sees that.

"We can sit in a low block for 90 minutes and maybe concede less shots, but we want to be a team that takes the game to others because we have to win that play-off (to qualify for a major tournament).

"But we're trying to take steps forwards, and we scored top goals against Denmark and Germany.

"You can look at the scores, but if people see those performances with a little bit of realism you know this is a process that is going to take a long time."

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